Steelers News

Steelers Defense Is on a Historic Pace

Published

3 weeks ago

September 23, 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 3-0 and are allowing 10-or-fewer points in each game. They are the fifth team in the NFL since 2000 to accomplish that feat. The last time a Steelers team started 3-0 and allowed 10-or-fewer points was over 50 years ago. The 1973 Steelers.

To say the least, this unit could be scary good.

“We’re a pack of hyenas. You dangle a little piece of meat, it’s like everybody wants a piece. It’s a bunch of guys who are hungry to get the sack first,” Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward said after Sunday’s 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Through three games, the Steelers defense ranks No. 1 in total defense (29.7 yards) and scoring defense (8.7 points), third in rushing defense (71.3 yards) and sixth in passing defense (158.3 yards).

The defense has absolutely dominated in the second half of games, surrendering only six points. The Los Angeles Chargers had -5 yards in the second half of Sunday’s game. The -5 yards of total offense in the second half is the fewest allowed in a half by Pittsburgh since Week 15, 2001 vs. Detroit (-7 yards).

Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward coming out of the tunnel against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 22, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

“We knew it was going to be an entertaining game. They’re playing great defense. We were playing great defense. We had to challenge our defense to out-perform theirs. I thought they did,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.

“We had a commitment to the run game. Obviously, they came in with the league’s leading rusher and the No. 1 offense and our offense had to out-rush theirs, and we did, and that’s why the game unfolded the way it did.

“I’m just appreciative of the efforts of the guys. It was a fight, though, man. These guys are obviously well-coached and a talented group. It didn’t happen instantly. We had to stay in it. But that’s life and definitely life in the NFL.”

Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins came into the game as the NFL’s leading rusher with 266 yards through two games. He also led the league in yards per carry (9.9). The defense held him to 44 yards on 15 carries (2.9 average) on Sunday and allowed 61 yards overall on the ground.

“We’d better respond that way,” Tomlin said. “There’s a nakedness in this business at this level. There’s nowhere to hide.

“When you’ve got a challenge like that walking in your venue, you’d better fight. With the No. 1 rusher and rushing team coming into our building, let’s be real clear, they’ve got to fight. They don’t have a choice.”

It’s still early, but the Steelers have the pieces on defense to accomplish something truly special. The defense is absolutely loaded at all three levels — T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton, Patrick Queen, DeShon Elliott, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr.

If they can stay healthy, look out.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.